West Ham United striker Andy Carroll missed Saturday’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
West Ham United’s Andy Carroll celebrates scoring their fourth goal against Swansea City
Stoke City defender Phil Bardsley has told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day 2 Extra that he thinks West Ham United are a different side when Andy Carroll isn’t fit.
The Hammers drew 2-2 at home with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, as Jonny Evans headed home for the visitors in added time after Manuel Lanzini had given West Ham a late lead.
Manager Slaven Bilic was handed a major blow before the game had even kicked off, as striker Andy Carroll was ruled out through injury, with the star striker again struggling to say fit.
The 28-year-old target man has already missed a huge chunk of this season, but had scored five goals in his last seven Premier League appearances.
Carroll slotted home West Ham’s equaliser in the 3-1 away win over Southampton, but was substituted after 56 minutes with concerns over his injury status again.
Carroll was then ruled out of the West Brom clash with a groin injury, leaving winger Michail Antonio to lead the line up front, and as impressive as he is, he doesn’t possess the same aerial threat that Carroll does.
West Bromwich Albion’s James McClean in action with Stoke City’s Phil Bardsley
Now, Stoke defender Phil Bardsley has told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day 2 Extra that he thinks West Ham are a much different side when Carroll doesn’t play, as he’s a key player for the club.
Pundit Martin Keown added that Carroll is ‘brilliant’ and ‘almost unplayable’ when fit, but West Ham may have to accept him being in and out of the team due to his injury history.
“They’ve got players in the squad who have got exceptional ability, but I think that when Carroll doesn’t play – he’s a massive figure for them – you can tell the difference when he doesn’t play,” said Bardsley.
“I think Andy Carroll is going to have a career of this, where he comes in, he’s brilliant – almost unplayable. He’s one of the finest headers of the ball we’ve ever seen, and then he’s injured again. They’re really just going to have to manage him,” added Keown.
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